Monday, February 9, 2009

Going Bald By Choice - Professional Advice

A shaved head is a good option for guys with thinning hair or for any man with a great looking head who wants to make a bold statement. Before attempting to shave your head for the first time, I strongly recommend consulting your barber or stylist who can help determine if the style will work well with your face and head shape and show you how to shave your head.

If this is a first time shave for you, I suggest that you take the plunge at the beginning of the weekend or start of a vacation. This will give you time to get used to your dramatically new look and allow you to get some color on your scalp before you reveal your new style to friends and coworkers.

The three steps below will help you get the best result possible. Allow a good half hour for the first shave. After a few days of shaving, you should have the routine down to five minutes or less.

Step 1: Prep.

Always shave your head at the end of a warm shower which softens the hair, cleans the skin and open the pores. During showering, rub a soapy wash cloth with slight pressure against the growth pattern of the hair to lift the hair for easier shaving. Next, apply a good shave cream and allow to stand for a few minutes to further soften the hair. Stay away from gels or products which contain menthol, which will close the pores and desensitize the skin. You'll want to be able to feel the razor glide over your scalp. Never skimp on preparation. This is vital to a good shave.

Note: If this is your first time shaving your head, use a hair clipper with no guard to remove as much hair as possible and exfoliate the scalp with a facial scrub prior to shaving.

Step 2: Shave.

It is helpful to have a hand mirror available so you can check your work from all angles. You don't want to miss anything. It's also important to shave in a room with bright lighting.

Use a clean, sharp razor (a three-blade razor works best) and start by shaving with the grain (the direction the hair grows). This will help minimize cuts, irritation, and ingrown hairs. Glide the razor gently down the sides and back and from back to front on top. Avoid applying pressure, rinse the razor often, and take it slow. If this is your first time, do not shave against the grain for a few weeks to give your scalp time to adjust to being shaved.

After completing the shave, apply a small amount of lather to your hands and rub your entire head, checking for rough spots that need to be re-shaved. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears and the back of the neck. If you cut yourself, apply a moist alum block to stop the bleeding. Follow the shave with a splash of cool water to close the pores.

Step 3: Repair and Protect.

After shaving, gently pat the head dry with a soft cloth and apply a good aftershave balm. I recommend the use of products that are free of alcohol which can cause unnecessary drying of the skin. The right aftershave balm will help promote quicker healing and moisturize the skin. Before going out in the sun, apply a light sunscreen to prevent burning.

Shaving your head daily or every other day will make it easier to maintain the results and keep you looking fresh. Once you and your friends and coworkers adjust to your new look, you'll find a bald head will set you apart from the pack.

Head shaving done by females as well as males is seen and accepted much more these days. But history tells us it's nothing new. Both ancient male and female Egyptians used to shave their heads bald. Females always wore wigs. The modern female who is shaving her head often has fun doing so as well. Many people find bald heads very sexy. And if you didn't know - The entire scalp is an erogenous zone after shaving. If you're certain you're ready to go bald for the first time, here are techniques to help you: 1) Start by cutting and then trimming your head hair to a short stubble before shaving. 2) Next, take a hot shower. The steam will relax the skin and soften the hairs, which will make head shaving easier. Allow your skin and stubble to be wet for five to ten minutes. 3) Then apply a rich lubricant and allow it to sit for a short while. You might want to use a little Tea Tree or mineral oil. This will help the razor glide more easily while shaving your head, which will help prevent cuts. 4) ALWAYS use a fresh, new blade in your razor. And if it starts to feel like the razor is dragging, put in a new blade. Especially because people will be noticing your bald pate, the last thing you want is scraped, scabby skin. You want smooth and shiny skin after shaving. Obviously, you can't see the back of your head to shave it, so if you don't want to end up looking patchy ... 5) Use a mirror. Also, regularly use your fingers to feel for areas you've missed. Note: The direction of head shaving doesn't matter because the hair grows in different directions. Whatever feels best to you. 6) Try not to apply too much pressure or repeat strokes in the same area as you're shaving as both of these actions will certainly irritate the skin. After you're finished shaving your head - 7) Thoroughly wash off any remaining lubricant with warm water. 8) Then rinse with cold water. If you think you can handle it, rub your head with an ice cube. This will go a long way to close and calm the follicles, (the skin depressions from which hairs emerge), and generally tone your scalp skin. 9) Pat the area dry, making sure not to rub. 10) Many veteran head shavers believe applying witch hazel, after shave or another alcohol based product works well to further close the follicles and also act as an astringent to kill any germs and bacteria. But beware - Alcohol dries out the skin and dry skin is a major culprit in creating skin irritations. Tip: One way to kill bacteria, prevent infection and obtain moisture is to use the popular natural remedy Tea Tree Oil. It will deeply condition your scalp and provide your pate with a healthy sheen. There are many creams, lotions and oils specifically formulated to limit irritations and itching from shaving. Used regularly, these will soften the skin and hair follicles and even reduce the stiffness of the stubble when hairs start growing in between shaves. After you rub a goodly amount into your skin, go ahead and put on some more - Only this time don't rub it in but allow your skin to absorb it. These guidelines are based upon generations of people's experiences head shaving with a wet razor, so if you follow them, you should receive the most pleasing results. Depending on how much hair you want showing between shaves, you can shave your head every day, once a week, or only once a month. If you decide you do really enjoy having a bald head, do some research. There is an alternative to shaving your head with a wet razor that will remove your hair closely, cleanly and most importantly, safely. About the Author The hair removal experts at Bodworx International are leading importers of intimate care products. Visit their website at http://www.a1-head-shaving.com/ for safe and effective head shaving information.

I have linked a very interesting article about headshaving that I found on Wikipedia. It contains the history of head shaving as well as famous people and actors who shaved their heads.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_shaving